The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1887-02-04


Brooks put down his documents
and Strengthened up with great con
cern.
Let me see, what do they want?
Chug. there is memorandum on
your desk somewhere
searched and found the appoint
ment slip: Tues. II a. N. Cedar
Co lnty delegation to urge amelior>
atlon Of convIcts.'
Books ran his hand through his
hair.
Why do they bother me now?
Why can't they torture those fellows
in the Legislature, and after they
get in their bill come and ask nay
pproval? Why consume my time
for an Object so remote? What shall
| do with 'em, Chug? | have more
work here already than | can finish
IN good season >
DO" | exclaimed, rising energet
iroIly and f cling something of the
old Scorn for him. w by, man, let
I'm IN. Say Fellow citizens, am
p,cul to meet you, glad to see the
cause of our criminals cnlistIug the
sympathy Of such able lvOcateS
aud anything | can do to fuItheT the
.oOt work he assured | shall rejoice
to do. At the same time, all gov
ernments move by routine, aud |
must commen': you to the usual pro
cedures. Secure legislative action
efftctIng lhe ends you ain at, and.
as | feel sure the ehject will be just
ifiable, shall take pleasure in sign-
Ing your bill' That's all. Remain
Standing and let them stand. Fid-
get to aud fro from your desk. 1t
item know you are in a hurry, al
though courteous, and get rid of EN-
quick.
Cellar county, unused Brooks.
i don't knew any body up there
likely to be in this d delegation. Chug,
you iook a good deal ike me. You
may receive these people, and act as
Governor
'Ho, thank YOU said 1, 10 ting t"
nv desk and catching up the pen.
'Ha.lo = cried Brooks with SOW
sarcasm. You can brag bat not
perform, ch?'
This blunt reply stung me. 1t was
quite unlike the Brooks Of my school
days. | used to pride myself on
superior force. 1t would rever do
to let him find me lacking nerve, or
my old ascendency would vani b
wholly. So | promptly rose AGAIN.
why, can receive the deleg-
alton if YOU really went me to,
Books. but
All right, Chug, you may receive
them. Treat them well. That will
give he time to so over this paper.
and [ must do it before noon
was somewhat agitated. TO con
front these fellows face to face grew
every instant more djeagreeahIe to
me. For two years [ had rusted lii
the mines. Probably this delegation
contained pr, aohers, LAWYERS p1ac-
ticed sp0kesmen, to answer whom
would require more than mere au~
dacitv. But Harold stood looking
on perplexs d, ana Brooks himselI
was reering up from lis papers with
. covert smile. Tut bold face on.
'Here la ola, heIp me put thest
chars IN he private room And |
seized an armchair 10 cacA han'
Harold looked at Brooks with
estoHIslment AMI protest.
You viii need the chairs, of cours e.
he sad.
NO, III make 'em stand. III
SOsn get rid % the prison del.
ation,' 1 cried emphati ly. Book
hoided and Harold unwilling Join. d
in emovrng every chair to the inner
apartmt ut Save the ones which
Brooks amt had occu led.
No" b~IIg emp said l. and
wml- Hato d was gone l threw off
my coat. unt ed my neckband, put
my watch in open sight upon the
desk and took pen freshly dipped
in iak.
I'll 1t those fellows know that
time is precious here"I said deci~
>ively, looking down at Brooks.
Tne door opening from TIE an'e-
room swung on its hinges. Harold
aPpea el upon the threshold. He
gave look of dismay as he saw re
in my SHIRT sleeves, but | stood erect
aud firm. The was a ru,t.ing of
silks, a prophetic fragrance. sof
murmuring voices and then a bev.
OF ladies plowered suddenly into tn
room. | started dumfounGed.
Great er-ladies J.